ARMY VEHICLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 29 September 1943, Page 6

ARMY VEHICLES

DISPOSAL QUESTION SUPPLY EXCEEDS DEMAND It is being asked why the Army cannot return to industry a greater portion of the vehicles which are now largely idle as a result of recent reductions in the home defence forces. Inquiries by the “N.Z. Herald” show that, although hundreds of these vehicles have already been placed on sale, the demand for them has by no means equalled the supply. Those which have been assembled for sale are in addition to many others which have been returned directly to owners from whom they were impressed early last year. It may be that some of the vehicles have not sold because prospective buyers have not been satisfied with their condition or with the valuation placed upon them. However, it is doubtful if these have been the major reasons for the demand not equalling the supply. More important is the fact that it is not much use owning a truck if petrol is not available for its economic use. It remains to be seen whether the reduction in Army petrol consumption is going to be accompanied by an increased release to civilians or whether importations will be reduced. THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES There is no doubt that the drastic reduction of the home defence Army has produced a surplus of thousands of vehicles and has brought with it special problems for the disposal of some and the maintenance of those which have to be held against future needs. It is also true that the surplus is likely to be increased in the near future, for any day may bring a further reduction in the remaining mobilised forces. Some of the vehicles have no commercial value whatever. For instance, there are millions of pounds’ worth of tanks, mostly earlier Mark Valentines and General Stuarts. There are all sorts of scout cars and specialised vehicles in number which may never again be required by a home defence or peacetime Territorial Army. Each year that passes will hasten their obsolescence and increase the need for fresh equipment. However, times are still too uncertain to favour their disposal now. CHASSIS OF SCOUT CARS While such vehicles as Beaverette scout cars have no commercial value as they are, their chassis may well be suitable for industrial use. In cases of this nature, those who are responsible for deciding which vehicles should be disposed of and how they are going to be sold are giving the matter consideration. Developments in the policy for any manner of disposing of surplus Army vehicles may result from a conference held in Wellington this week. The maintenance of the vehicles which the Army will keep has its own problems. Obviously the demobilisation of large numbers of men and the reduction in the use of the vehicles present the Army with the responsibility of guarding against deterioration. MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE As far as possible, the policy which has been followed has been to concentrate vehicular equipment in depots throughout the country in charge of selected personnel. These men have the by no means easy duty of trying to prevent engines, tyres and other parts from deteriorating through lack of use. The problem which confronted private car-owners when petrol restrictions forced many of them to put their cars in garages now belongs to the Army as well. Instructions which have been issued require depots to take various steps to avoid deterioration. These- instructions show that the Army, still facing an uncertain future and with no present means of knowing exactly how much of its great bulk of material will have future use, is making a good attempt with skeleton staffs to take care of the huge sums of money which this material represents.